Putin 'serves the Christian cause', airstrikes are a source of hope - Syria Archbishop

Ruth Gledhill

Russian air strikes are a source of hope for Syrians, according to the Catholic Archbishop of Aleppo.

The Melkite Greek Catholic Archbishop of Aleppo has welcomed Russia's military action in Syria in support of President Bashar al-Assad. He said Russian President Vladimir Putin "serves the Christians' cause", according to Al-Arabiya. He did however recognise that Putin was also protecting Russia's own interests in the campaign of air strikes in  that began at the end of last month. 

Archbishop Jeanbart said there was renewed confidence among Christians in Syria after the terrible sufferings they and other minorities have endured at the hands of Islamic State.  

"Putin is solving a problem," he said.

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